Fresh Fruit Daiquiris and Blended Beverages
Do-It-Yourself Tropical Drinks for Warm Weather Refreshment
Feb 18, 2009
Cocktails and blended drinks can be created at home with ingredients from the local farmer's market or produce section, a blender or smoothie maker, and a little imagination. Fresh Fruit is a great improvement on the regular corn-syrup heavy drink mixes one finds at the grocery store. Fresh ingredients taste better and supply health benefits irreplaceable by sugary mixes. Try these recipes for homemade, (nearly) guiltless adult beverages!
Note: Because liquor melts ice, fruit has varying amounts of juice and natural flavor, and different home bartenders may choose different ingredients, some of these recipes will require small adjustments. To make drink thicker, add fruit or ice. To thin it out, add a splash of juice or soda. Adjust amount of sugar as needed.
Fun Fresh Fruit Daiquiris: The Favorite Frozen Fruit Concoction
- 3 oz. rum of choice
- 1 oz. juice of choice (lime juice is most common)
- About 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
- Fresh Fruit of choice
Sugar, honey, or ice cream depending on the sweetness of the fruit (if fruit is unripe or bland, some sweetener will be desired)
Get creative and invent your own combination of fresh ingredients, or try one of these:
- 1 cup diced strawberries and 1/2 cup sliced bananas
- 1 cup diced strawberries and 1/2 cup diced kiwi fruit
- 1 cup diced mango and 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup diced peaches and 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1 1/2 cup black berries, raspberries, and strawberries
- The juice and pulp of 3 limes
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust amount of ice or add juice if necessary. This recipe serves two-three people. Garnish with lime slices, extra fruit, or sprigs of fresh mint. Sit back and enjoy!
The Original Piña Colada: A Taste of the Tropics
- 3 oz. rum of choice (dark rum makes this drink richer and stronger, where as light rum is more subtle)
- 3 oz. cream of coconut (Coco Lopez is the general favorite)
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- About 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Serves two. For a unique twist, try adding various ingredients. Some ideas are fresh bananas, oranges, or mango. Garnish with additional pineapple, a maraschino cherry, or slice of citrus fruit and enjoy the sun!
Siesta-Time Citrus Margarita: A Unique Twist on the Classic
- 3 oz. tequila of choice
- 1 oz. triple Sec
- 3 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups segments of ripe orange and ruby red grapefruit, mixed
- 3-4 large fresh strawberries (optional)
- About 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into salt-rimmed margarita glasses and garnish with a slice of lime. Relax and enjoy! Serves two.
Frozen Fruity Sangria: A Tasty New Version of the Spanish Specialty (Forget the Wine Coolers!)
- 1 1/2 cups red wine (cheap is okay!)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1/2 cup diced fresh peaches
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cup crushed ice
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Garnish with lemon, lime, and orange slices. Set up your beach chair and lounge in the back yard!
For the Kids: Making Fun and Fruity Virgin Cocktails
When whipping up a few of these party hits for the adults, rinse out the blender and make batch for the kids! It's easy! Simply use these recipes, substituting juice, lemonade, or 7-Up for rum. More liquid will be necessary. The children will love these virgin daiquiris!
Also try whipping up some fresh fruit mojitos!
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